NBC Shortens Legs of 'Singles Table'

John Cho on 'The Singles Table'

John Cho on 'The Singles Table'

Zap2It.com

NBC is hoping to turn over "The Singles Table" a little faster than it originally planned.

The network wants to cut the order for the midseason comedy, about a group of single people who meet at a wedding reception, from 13 episodes to six. The showbiz trade papers report it's primarily a cost-cutting move on the network's part.

The studio that produces "The Singles Table," 20th Century Fox TV, is reportedly less than pleased at the network's request, but it's not uncommon in these skittish times for network suits. ABC recently cut the order for one of its midseason shows, the drama "Traveler" (produced by Warner Bros.), from 13 episodes to eight.

NBC also doesn't have a ton of obvious spots for comedy on its midseason schedule. The network's Thursday comedy block -- "My Name Is Earl," "The Office," and starting Nov. 30, "Scrubs" and "30 Rock" -- is set for the time being. And, given the patience NBC has shown with some of its struggling new shows, there aren't many obvious openings on other nights.